Objectives

1. Unsaturated Aquifer Saturated Aquifer Paleochannel? Pierre Shale THE COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY GetWET OBSERVATORY: A Fluid Learning Environment Promoting Deeper Understanding Sara Rathburn1(rathburn@cnr.colostate.edu), Andrew Warnock2, William Sanford1, and Dennis Harry1 1Department of Geosciences, 2Center for Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO www.csmate.colostate.edu/getwet/ Undergraduate Majors – Freshman - Sophomore Level Undergraduate Geology/Watershed Science Majors – Senior Level • Objectives • Provide quantitative, real-life hydrogeological experiences for undergraduate non-majors • Provide holistic, field-based learning opportunities in surface and groundwater hydrology in five courses for majors • Provide support for regional K-12 teachers via professional development workshops, well access, TA support, and equipment loans as part of broader impacts • Complete program evaluation integrated across pre-college through senior levels Figure 5. Well locations at the GetWET Observatory. Flow lines are approximated and drawn perpendicular to contour lines (0.05 m intervals) based on water table elevations from each well. (modified from C. Spence) GetWET Site Figure 9. G452 Hydrogeology assignment, Fall 2006. Students used core descriptions of C. Spence (Fig. 6) to develop and interpret hydrostratigraphic cross sections. • Students also developed potentiometric surface map of unconfined aquifer • Follow-up labs will include hydraulic testing (aquifer, slug tests); proper field sampling techniques for water quality parameters (pH, T, SC, DO, NO3-, PO4-, SO42-) in groundwater wells and Spring Creek • Laboratory reports incorporate all data from GetWET in consulting report format Figure 2. Well installation at GetWET, April 2006. View to southwest. Broader Impacts – K-12 Professional Development Figure 1. GetWET Observatory shown in red box, south campus property, CSU. Figure 6. Cross sections of core collected from each well. Layers correlated between wells where possible using dashed lines. (modified from C. Spence) Figure 3. Six monitoring wells with steel risers and locking caps at the GetWET Observatory. Riparian vegetation in photo borders Spring Creek. View to northwest. Figure 11. Teachers modeling contaminant flow in groundwater, June 2006. Figure 10. Teachers collecting groundwater samples and measuring water levels, June 2006. • Professional development institutes (Summer 2006 - 2008) • CSU graduate credit and stipends for teachers • Teachers developed action plans to integrate GetWET facility into their curricula • Ongoing support: teacher network, website, groundwater well access, equipment loans and TA support • Conduct outreach presentations featuring small hands-on groundwater models Undergraduate Geology Majors – Senior Level Figure 4. Continuous core equipment used during drilling, April 2006. Undergraduate Non-majors: • Develop water table map • Calculate hydraulic parameters • Hydraulic gradient (Dh/Dx) • Specific discharge (q=K(Dh/Dx) • Groundwater discharge (Q=Aq) • Evaluate water chemistry • Temp, pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen GetWET Insight – First Six Months • Involve students at all levels • Non-majors and majors were present during drilling, collecting core, well installation and completion • Student hourly hired during funding period, and REU student project summer 2006 • Unifying, cross-disciplinary event for our Department, shared sense of success • Promote yourself through good public relations • Contact local newspaper to cover important events  resulted in important industry partner donations • Submit press release on campus  drew College/University attention and interest; Federal agency interest (River Watch) Figure 7. Mounting copper wire on casing for down hole resistivity surveys to be completed by G442 Applied Geophysics class. Figure 8. Shear wave velocity structure of aquifer system at the GetWET from G442 class, Fall 2004. Blue region is interpreted as portion of aquifer above the water table (Vs<220 m/sec). Water table is ~3 m deep. Saturated zone has Vs between 250-380 m/sec. Acknowledgements Funding for the GetWET was provided by NSF DUE-CCLI grant 0536136. In-Situ, Inc. generously donated monitoring equipment to the GetWET. Thanks to Christina Spence, Carleton College and REU – Program in Water Resources at CSU (summer 2006) for her site characterization of the GetWET, and to John Gilbert, CSU undergraduate geology major, for his reliable assistance. S. Rathburn thanks NSF Cutting Edge workshop hosts for insight into the process and possibilities of obtaining NSF DUE funding.